Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-02

the different outrages as they had occurred
and always spoke as if he had been an eye
witness. But, SO thorough was my brotheri
belief in his new friend, that even this did no
shake his faith.
When within a few days of the journey:
end, the stranger suddenly and quite unex
pectedly declared his intention of parting
company. He offered no explanation as t.
his reason for doing so, though all through be
had seemed anxious to impress it on then
that he intended to go the entire way to tht
~diggings with them. No questions were
asked.
After a general and hearty leave-taking
which, however, did not inspire much conf
| dence, as they were still within range of
| a last walk with him, and led the way into
the bush further than he had ever brought
him before, and a long distance from the
beaten track. The first words the stranger
said were: Mate, don't you carry a re-
| volverV'
The answer was: ayes, and a first class one.
Not such as is got out here. I brought ii
from home"
"Show it to me-" said the stranger;"I love
q real good weapon" and without the slightest
hesitation my brother handed him the re-
| volver, which he examined carefully, and saw
that the chambers were loaded. He remarked
that it was the 'prettiest weapon" he had
handled for a long time.
He walked a few steps in advance, and,
turning round suddenly, be presented the re-
volver at my brothers head, calling out In q
commanding tone: "Standl" his countenancs
10 changed as scarcely to be recognized.
At last my brother felt that he stood face
to face with the terrible bushranger, but did
not lose his presence Of mind.
For a moment there was q profound silence,
first broken by the stranger saying: as there
anything on earth to prevent my blowing out
your brains with your own weapon, placed in
my hands Of your own free villa The wild
bush round us, I know its every twist and
turn. The man is not living who could track
my footsteps through its depths, where I alone
am lord and master. Speak, man! What is
there to prevent mel"
With a %throbbing heart and q quickened
pulse my brother answered: Nothing but
your sense of honor"
The mans face frightened, and his voice
resumed its friendly tone, and, handing back
the revolver, he said: 1--WE stand now on an
equal footing. You hold my life in your
hands, as I held yours a moment ago. Yes,
boy; and your OWL fortune, too. But I trust
you, a. you trusted me. I would not hurt a
hair Of your head, and I have spared others
for your sake. How, you will never know;
but they owe you a deep debt Of gratitude.
You are a noble-hearted fellow; and through
the rest of my stormy life I will look back
with pleasure on the time we have passed to-
gether. But, mate, you are the greatest fool
I ever met. I brought you here to-day to
give you a lesson, which I hope you will bear
in mind. You are going among a rough,
lawless crew; never, as long as you live, trust
any man as you have trusted me to-day.
Where you are bound for, your revolver will
be your only true friend; never let it out Of
your own keeping, to friend or foe. You are
far too trusting. There was not a man but
yourself among those from whom I lave just
parted who did not believe from the moment
I Joined that I was Jack the bushranger.
Well, mate, l am not going to tell you who
or what I am, or how or why / came among
you; but of this rest assured that you have
no truer friend. You will never know what
I have done for your sake. Now, mate, good
by forever. We will never meet again in
this world, and it is best for you it should be
10" Then leading him back to the track by
which he could rejoin his party, he wrung
my brothers hand, turned and walked quickly
into the bush, leaving no doubt upon my
brothers mind that the friend he had so loved
n trusted was indeed the dreaded BUSH
ranger.
They never did meet again. My brother
came home to die; and unless my memory
me-, Jack was shot dead in a skir-
mish with the military.-Chamber's journal. |